266 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
explanation which I received ; but their prayer 
consisted of only three words, constantly repeated. 
One of the hunters yet remained abroad ; and as 
the wind rose at noon, we had hopes that he was 
successful. In the evening he made his appear- 
ance, and announcing that he had killed a large 
moose, immediately secured the reward which 
had been promised. 7 
The tidings were received with apparent in- 
difference, by people whose lives are alternate 
changes from the extremity of want to abundance. 
But as their countenances seldom betray their 
emotions, it cannot be determined whether their 
apathy is real or affected. However, the women 
prepared their sledges and dogs, with the design 
of dismembering, and bringing home, the carcass: 
a proceeding to which, in their necessitous con- 
dition, I could have had neither reasonable nor 
available objections, without giving them a sub- 
stitute. By much solicitation I obtained al 
audience, and offered them our own provisions, 
on condition of their suspending the work of 
destruction till the next day. They agreed to 
the proposition, and we set out with some In- 
dians for the place where the animal was lying. 
The night advancing, we were separated by a 
snow-storm, and not being skilful enough to 
follow tracks which were so speedily filled up, 
